WoW Forever: Launch Date, Skyborne Packs and Which to Buy
Updated October 28, 2026.
World of Warcraft: Forever is a new version of WoW set in a reimagined original Azeroth. Blizzard says it launches globally on 4 November 2026 and that your WoW subscription or Game Time already gives you access. The Skyborne Heroic Pack, Skyborne Epic Pack and Warcraft Forever Collection are optional upgrades, not a different game.
What is World of Warcraft: Forever?
It is a new World of Warcraft experience that goes back to the original continents of Azeroth. Blizzard describes it as "a new permanent home alongside modern and Classic WoW". It was revealed at BlizzCon 2026.
- Setting: after the events of Warcraft III Reforged: Forsaken Kingdom and before Molten Core.
- Level cap: players "adventure to level 60".
- What's new: over 1000 new quests, new dungeons, the new Skyborne race, and two new class and race combinations: Forsaken Paladin and Dwarf Shaman.
- Requirements: an internet connection, a Battle.net account and the Battle.net desktop app.
Source: Blizzard News: Carve a New Path with World of Warcraft: Forever and Blizzard's Forever page, read on 28 October 2026.
When does WoW Forever launch?
On 4 November 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST (23:00 GMT), the same moment worldwide. Blizzard says it "launches globally" on that date. Source: Blizzard News.
| Date (2026) | What happens |
|---|---|
| 27 October to 3 November | Early Name Reservation: reserve names for up to three characters. |
| 4 November | Launch. Game Time from the Epic Pack and Collection is added to your account. |
| 4 to 11 November | Invited friends can play with an Invite-A-Friend Launch Code. |
| 11 January 2027 | Last day the Warcraft Forever Collection is on sale. |
The beta ran from 17 September to 21 October 2026, so it is over. Beta access is no longer a reason to buy a pack. Source: Blizzard News: Pre-Purchase World of Warcraft: Forever Upgrades.
Is WoW Forever the same as retail WoW or Classic?
No. It is a third experience that sits next to modern ("retail") WoW and WoW Classic. Blizzard's shop calls it "a new, stand-alone WoW experience".
| Modern WoW (Midnight) | WoW Classic | WoW: Forever | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | The current game and its expansions | The older versions of WoW | A reimagined original Azeroth with new content |
| Access | Subscription or Game Time | Subscription or Game Time | Subscription or Game Time |
Blizzard also says: "Included in-game items are not available in WoW Classic." Some pack items work in both modern WoW and Forever, and some only in Forever. Housing decor only works in modern WoW. Source: Blizzard Shop: World of Warcraft: Forever.
Do I need to buy anything to play WoW Forever?
You need an active WoW subscription or Game Time, and nothing else. Blizzard: "Access to World of Warcraft: Forever is included with your active World of Warcraft subscription or game time." The packs are "optional upgrade editions".
Game Time is time you buy once for a fixed number of days. You can get it as a 60-day time card. Read our WoW game time guide to choose the right region. Source: Blizzard Shop.
Without an upgrade, you cannot use the Skyborne race or the Zephras Isle starting questline. Blizzard says they need the Skyborne Heroic Pack or a higher edition.
What do the Skyborne Heroic Pack, Skyborne Epic Pack and Forever Collection include?
Each edition includes everything in the one before it. This is what Blizzard listed on 28 October 2026:
| Item | Heroic Pack | Epic Pack | Forever Collection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skyborne race and Zephras Isle starting experience | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Early Name Reservation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cerulean Prideclaw ground mount, Shen’dorei Skyseer’s Garb, Veteran Adventurer’s Rucksack, Shen’dorei Windwell toy | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Skyborne housing decor (modern WoW) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Invite-A-Friend Launch Codes | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 30 days of Game Time from 4 November | No | Yes | Yes |
| Extra Veteran Adventurer cosmetics, tabards and pets | No | Yes | Yes |
| Beta access (ended 21 October) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Warcraft III: Reforged | No | No | Yes |
| Warcraft III Reforged: Forsaken Kingdom campaign | No | No | Yes |
| Forsaken and Human Figurine Decor (modern WoW housing) | No | No | Yes |
The Epic Pack also adds a matching bear mount and transmog set, according to Blizzard's shop. The Collection is described as "a limited-time bundle". Source: Blizzard News: Pre-Purchase World of Warcraft: Forever Upgrades and Blizzard Shop.
Housing decor only works in modern WoW, and the housing feature needs World of Warcraft: Midnight (sold separately). Our Midnight Base gift covers that.
Which WoW Forever edition should I buy?
| If you want | Buy |
|---|---|
| The Skyborne race and the cosmetics, and you already have a subscription or Game Time | Skyborne Heroic Pack |
| The same, plus 30 days of Game Time and the extra pets and tabards | Skyborne Epic Pack |
| Everything, including Warcraft III: Reforged and the Forsaken Kingdom campaign | Warcraft Forever Collection |
| Just to play Forever, with no cosmetics or Skyborne | Game Time or a subscription only, such as the 60-day card |
The Epic Pack is the lowest edition that includes Game Time. The Collection only adds Warcraft III content and housing decor, so choose it if you want those. Check each product page for the current price. The Collection is on sale until 11 January 2027.
You can browse all of our Blizzard products in Battle.net keys and gifts.
How do the packs arrive from TopPlayer.gg?
All three are Battle.net gifts, not keys. You give us your BattleTag, accept our friend requests, wait for Battle.net's friendship period, and then accept the gift in the Battle.net app. Our product pages state up to 96 hours. Read how Battle.net gifts work before you pay.
- Timing: the wait starts when you accept our friend request. Early Name Reservation ends on 3 November, so do not buy at the last minute.
- Invite-A-Friend codes: Blizzard says the codes carry the note "Excludes gift purchases". A pack sent as a gift may therefore not come with them. If the codes matter to you, ask support before you buy.
- Game Time: Blizzard adds the 30 days to your account when Forever launches on 4 November.
- Account: Blizzard says some benefits apply only to the WoW account they were bought for, so give us the BattleTag you play on.
- Refunds: before the gift is sent you can ask for a refund by opening a ticket. Once it has been sent, it cannot be refunded. See our refund policy.
Source for Blizzard's rules: Blizzard Shop.
FAQ
When does World of Warcraft: Forever come out?
Blizzard says it launches globally on 4 November 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST (23:00 GMT).
Do I need a subscription to play WoW Forever?
Yes, you need a WoW subscription or Game Time. Blizzard says access is included with them. The packs are optional upgrades.
Is WoW Forever the same as WoW Classic?
No. Blizzard calls it a new, stand-alone experience that sits alongside modern WoW and Classic. It is set in a reimagined original Azeroth with new content, and its pack items are not available in Classic.
What is the difference between the Skyborne Epic Pack and the Forever Collection?
The Collection includes everything in the Epic Pack, plus Warcraft III: Reforged, the Forsaken Kingdom campaign and Forsaken and Human Figurine Decor. It is on sale until 11 January 2027.
Which pack includes Game Time?
The Skyborne Epic Pack and the Warcraft Forever Collection include 30 days of Game Time, added to your account when Forever launches. The Heroic Pack does not.
How do I get these packs from TopPlayer.gg?
As Battle.net gifts. You send us your BattleTag, accept our friend requests and accept the gift in the Battle.net app. It takes up to 96 hours.
Related guide: How Battle.net gifts work · WoW 60-day game time card: US vs EU